Comments on: Hitchhikers - Yes or No? http://melbournetolondon.com/2008/07/02/hitchhikers-yes-or-no/ Driving from Melbourne, Australia through Asia and Eastern Europe to London. Sun, 5 Feb 2012 16:36:48 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Cat http://melbournetolondon.com/2008/07/02/hitchhikers-yes-or-no/#comment-570 Cat Thu, 17 Jul 2008 00:29:46 +0000 http://melbournetolondon.com/?p=40#comment-570 We picked up a hitchhiker on the way to Glasgow. He was a local and chatted cheerfully and incessantly in the back seat and we understood not one single word. With about 5 miles to go my husband got the giggles and I was left to do noncommittal yet encouraging noises in reply, breaking out in a sweat each time he asked a question. Great memories! We picked up a hitchhiker on the way to Glasgow. He was a local and chatted cheerfully and incessantly in the back seat and we understood not one single word. With about 5 miles to go my husband got the giggles and I was left to do noncommittal yet encouraging noises in reply, breaking out in a sweat each time he asked a question. Great memories!

]]> By: Natalie http://melbournetolondon.com/2008/07/02/hitchhikers-yes-or-no/#comment-542 Natalie Tue, 15 Jul 2008 06:17:20 +0000 http://melbournetolondon.com/?p=40#comment-542 Just been looking at the photos. Wow! That's a real taste of the top end. The sunset is stunning. It really is a wide brown land. The red soil and the aborigines and their artwork are really stirring up a desire to see it all for myself. Am really feasting on your experiences. Thank you. Continue enjoying everything and safely. Natalie Just been looking at the photos. Wow! That’s a real taste of the top end. The sunset is stunning. It really is a wide brown land. The red soil and the aborigines and their artwork are really stirring up a desire to see it all for myself. Am really feasting on your experiences. Thank you. Continue enjoying everything and safely. Natalie

]]> By: Maree http://melbournetolondon.com/2008/07/02/hitchhikers-yes-or-no/#comment-533 Maree Mon, 14 Jul 2008 04:40:17 +0000 http://melbournetolondon.com/?p=40#comment-533 Hi John & Jack I'm afraid I would not pick up hitchhikers cos I would be too afraid there would be a problem with my insurance. Sorry to put in a down note on the great story and feedback but I know that Jon will understand why given his training too. Terrific adventures and ok if there are no problems. regards Maree Hi John & Jack

I’m afraid I would not pick up hitchhikers cos I would be too afraid there would be a problem with my insurance. Sorry to put in a down note on the great story and feedback but I know that Jon will understand why given his training too.

Terrific adventures and ok if there are no problems.

regards
Maree

]]> By: james hague http://melbournetolondon.com/2008/07/02/hitchhikers-yes-or-no/#comment-529 james hague Mon, 14 Jul 2008 02:12:00 +0000 http://melbournetolondon.com/?p=40#comment-529 good luck you blokes wish i had known you were doing this i wanted to do vladivostok to london via moscow shoulds been listening to abc im 71 but i will do it landcruiser cab chassis riged out for camping all the best james good luck you blokes wish i had known you were doing this i wanted to do vladivostok to london via moscow shoulds been listening to abc im 71 but i will do it landcruiser cab chassis riged out for camping
all the best james

]]> By: Annette Pereira http://melbournetolondon.com/2008/07/02/hitchhikers-yes-or-no/#comment-496 Annette Pereira Fri, 11 Jul 2008 05:18:11 +0000 http://melbournetolondon.com/?p=40#comment-496 I think i met that guy hitchiking a few weeks ago! Is he from the Blue Mountains? Isn't he lovely. Probably one of the nicest people i've ever met. I remember thinking to myself after i had dropped him in Sydney, 'he would make a great prime minister one day'. I think i met that guy hitchiking a few weeks ago! Is he from the Blue Mountains? Isn’t he lovely. Probably one of the nicest people i’ve ever met.
I remember thinking to myself after i had dropped him in Sydney, ‘he would make a great prime minister one day’.

]]> By: Carl (with a C) http://melbournetolondon.com/2008/07/02/hitchhikers-yes-or-no/#comment-495 Carl (with a C) Fri, 11 Jul 2008 03:08:59 +0000 http://melbournetolondon.com/?p=40#comment-495 Hi Jon and Jack This is the said Hitchhiker Carl here. Remembered you had a web site so I thought I'd check it out and see how your trip's going. I have to say, it's a bit strange having a discussion about me going on. Was there a disclosure form I was supposed to fill out....? Just jokes. The wedding was fabulous, had about 50 people camp out in the creek bed that night after the wedding. Including the bride and groom. Swag city! You guys were a very welcome relief from the tedious dusty wind of the highway in coober pedy. I'd had enough of throwing pebbles at the tin can on the side of the road and was keen to get moving. As tedious as it is though, waiting for such lengths of time, I think hitching does a few great things for me. It forces you to rely on the others, which we spend so much time trying to avoid - desperately wanting to be totally independent, and it allows you to get to spend a little bit of time with and get to know a bit about a total stranger, which I have to say is always rewarding. Each lift I got was with an equally unique person or people, on vastly different journeys and despite different people's quirks, there was a generosity and willingness to have a chat that made each lift rewarding. One of those little things that is slowly diminishing unfortunately. Thanks again guys. All the best with your travels, Maybe I'll see you at the Katoomba skyway some time. Carl Hi Jon and Jack
This is the said Hitchhiker Carl here. Remembered you had a web site so I thought I’d check it out and see how your trip’s going. I have to say, it’s a bit strange having a discussion about me going on. Was there a disclosure form I was supposed to fill out….? Just jokes.
The wedding was fabulous, had about 50 people camp out in the creek bed that night after the wedding. Including the bride and groom. Swag city!
You guys were a very welcome relief from the tedious dusty wind of the highway in coober pedy. I’d had enough of throwing pebbles at the tin can on the side of the road and was keen to get moving. As tedious as it is though, waiting for such lengths of time, I think hitching does a few great things for me. It forces you to rely on the others, which we spend so much time trying to avoid - desperately wanting to be totally independent, and it allows you to get to spend a little bit of time with and get to know a bit about a total stranger, which I have to say is always rewarding. Each lift I got was with an equally unique person or people, on vastly different journeys and despite different people’s quirks, there was a generosity and willingness to have a chat that made each lift rewarding. One of those little things that is slowly diminishing unfortunately.
Thanks again guys. All the best with your travels, Maybe I’ll see you at the Katoomba skyway some time.
Carl

]]> By: Geoffo http://melbournetolondon.com/2008/07/02/hitchhikers-yes-or-no/#comment-404 Geoffo Sun, 06 Jul 2008 03:17:13 +0000 http://melbournetolondon.com/?p=40#comment-404 I hitchhiked Melbourne-Brisbane return in the latish-1950s when I was 15 turning 16 (I think!). Magic. Included driving (without a licence) all night from Ipswich to Singleton via New England Highway & Putty Road, to get a totally shagged out brickie back to work on time. He had hardly slept for 2 weeks in Surfers (then a very new experience) and had to start work at 8am. So he picked me up on a rainy evening outside Ipswich and asked if I could drive! Yes I could. Only one hairy moment the whole night. In 1969, gave a lift to a couple of Canadian guys from a bit south of Sydney to about Gundagai, then met them a week or so later and hosted them a bit in Melbourne -- including having them out to my parents' place near Diamond Creek while we fought a bush fire. They were pretty impressed! On the Stuart Highway and the like, you have to help. Good to have two of you, though, to have your own stuff well packed so it can't be ullaged inconspicuously, and to pick up the same sex. Geoff in Mentone I hitchhiked Melbourne-Brisbane return in the latish-1950s when I was 15 turning 16 (I think!). Magic. Included driving (without a licence) all night from Ipswich to Singleton via New England Highway & Putty Road, to get a totally shagged out brickie back to work on time. He had hardly slept for 2 weeks in Surfers (then a very new experience) and had to start work at 8am. So he picked me up on a rainy evening outside Ipswich and asked if I could drive! Yes I could. Only one hairy moment the whole night.

In 1969, gave a lift to a couple of Canadian guys from a bit south of Sydney to about Gundagai, then met them a week or so later and hosted them a bit in Melbourne — including having them out to my parents’ place near Diamond Creek while we fought a bush fire. They were pretty impressed!

On the Stuart Highway and the like, you have to help. Good to have two of you, though, to have your own stuff well packed so it can’t be ullaged inconspicuously, and to pick up the same sex.

Geoff in Mentone

]]> By: Kathy at kallista http://melbournetolondon.com/2008/07/02/hitchhikers-yes-or-no/#comment-399 Kathy at kallista Sat, 05 Jul 2008 11:07:57 +0000 http://melbournetolondon.com/?p=40#comment-399 Yes but not in Iran!!! We picked up a few when travelling in England we had a tiny red Citroen already rather full we added two soggy Englishmen with large packs wet cold and bound for an isolated Scottish youth hostel. Very very cosy (Canned Englishmen) One was a oboe maker and the other a chicken sexer, hmm, interesting company!!! My partner tells of travelling in Iran where truck drivers would sit cross legged on the seat with a brick on the accelorater A SINGLE SHARED PASSING LANE which was used requently eeekkk !!! It is so important to get some companty and get away from eachother sometimes Youth hostels were great. Happy travelling Take care Kathy at Kallista Yes but not in Iran!!!

We picked up a few when travelling in England we had a tiny red Citroen already rather full we added two soggy Englishmen with large packs wet cold and bound for an isolated Scottish youth hostel. Very very cosy (Canned Englishmen)
One was a oboe maker and the other a chicken sexer, hmm, interesting company!!!

My partner tells of travelling in Iran where truck drivers would sit cross legged on the seat with a brick on the accelorater A SINGLE SHARED PASSING LANE which was used requently eeekkk !!!

It is so important to get some companty and get away from eachother sometimes Youth hostels were great. Happy travelling Take care

Kathy at Kallista

]]> By: Marian. http://melbournetolondon.com/2008/07/02/hitchhikers-yes-or-no/#comment-393 Marian. Sat, 05 Jul 2008 06:36:05 +0000 http://melbournetolondon.com/?p=40#comment-393 BEEN UP THERE THREE TIMES, WOULD NOT PICK UP , SO I AGREE WITH BRUCE, HOWEVER MY GRANDCHILDREN RELIED ON HITCHIKING TO GET HOME INTO THE HILLS AROUND MELBOURNE YEARS AGO AND IT IS VERY HARD TO LEAVE SOMEONE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IN THE A REMOTE AREA, JUST BE CAREFUL, AND HAVE SOMETHING UNDER THE SEAT LIKE A SPANNER!!! THE DEVILS MARBLES ARE WORTH A VISIT AND PERHAPS A STAY, AND I LOVED MATERANKA SPRINGS, AND HOMESTEAD CARAVAN PARK TO NAME ONLY TWO. NOT THE SAME WITHOUT YOU ON AIR. BEEN UP THERE THREE TIMES, WOULD NOT PICK UP , SO I AGREE WITH BRUCE, HOWEVER MY GRANDCHILDREN RELIED ON HITCHIKING TO GET HOME INTO THE HILLS AROUND MELBOURNE YEARS AGO AND IT IS VERY HARD TO LEAVE SOMEONE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IN THE A REMOTE AREA, JUST BE CAREFUL, AND HAVE SOMETHING UNDER THE SEAT LIKE A SPANNER!!! THE DEVILS MARBLES ARE WORTH A VISIT AND PERHAPS A STAY, AND I LOVED MATERANKA SPRINGS, AND HOMESTEAD CARAVAN PARK TO NAME ONLY TWO. NOT THE SAME WITHOUT YOU ON AIR.

]]> By: judi http://melbournetolondon.com/2008/07/02/hitchhikers-yes-or-no/#comment-391 judi Sat, 05 Jul 2008 05:02:16 +0000 http://melbournetolondon.com/?p=40#comment-391 Am loving your blog already.Entertaining ! Will be missing you on the air waves though. Am loving your blog already.Entertaining !
Will be missing you on the air waves though.

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